- Face
- Eyes
- Functional Blepharoplasty
- Eyelid Ptosis Repair
- Eyebrow Ptosis Repair
- Lower Eyelid Retraction
- Thyroid Eye Disease
- Eyelid Lesions
- Blocked Tear Duct
- Migraines
- Transcutaneous or Transconjunctival with CO2 Laser
- Face + Eyelid Reconstruction
- Misaligned Eyelashes
- Eyelid Misplacement
- Canthoplasty/ Canthopexy
- Facial Nerve Paralysis
- Eye Removal
- Chalazion Incision & Drainage
- Breast
- Body
- Breast Reconstruction
- Elite Lifestyle
- Aesthetics Lounge
The Breast Reconstruction Recovery Process
Improving your recovery and experience: Recovery is a central aspect of the reconstructive process.
Phoenix & Chandler, AZ
Return to You
We use an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol to achieve an optimal recovery. Our goal in recovery is to reduce the need for narcotic pain medication, reduce hospital stay, and return you to your normal activities and function as soon as possible.
Reduce Hospital Stay
Your best recovery is in a comfortable setting. For most, this place is at home with your support system. We strive to discharge you to go home as soon as you are medically safe, once adequate pain control and postoperative monitoring are complete. In general, with implant-based reconstruction, you can be discharged the same or following day; with autologous reconstruction, you can be discharged in 2-3 days.
Multimodal Regimen
We use a multimodal pain regimen to decrease the need for post-operative narcotic medication. Opioid pain medication has a harmful side effect profile and is addictive. We reduce their use by using multiple oral medications and nerve blocks in the perioperative period. Pain pathways are complex, which likely explains why a multimodal regimen is effective in treating them. We also use nerve blocks. In the breast area, our protocol includes plane blocks (pectoral I and pectoral II) to provide local control of pain fibers. In surgeries involving the abdominal area, for example, DIEP free flaps, local nerve fibers are blocked using a transverse abdominus plane (TAP) block. In most of our procedures, these blocks are performed just prior to incision by our anesthesia staff, who use ultrasound guidance to improve efficacy.
- Pec I/II blocks with Exparel
- TAP blocks with Exparel
Return of Function
Our combined ERAS protocol allows for early pain-free ambulation postoperatively. This, in turn, speeds the overall recovery process. In addition to the ERAS protocol, we work closely with physical therapists. When time permits, preoperative assessment (prehab) by a physical therapist supports upper-extremity use, posture, and core strengthening. Patients who are admitted may see an inpatient therapist during their hospitalization. We also have guidelines for upper-body and core therapy during the postoperative period. In our experience, functional outcomes improve with preemptive therapy, restoring function before any deficit occurs. In other words, it is better to prevent a functional deficit than to treat it. Upper body and posture therapy are important for all patients undergoing breast reconstruction. When autologous reconstruction is performed with abdominal tissue, core strengthening at the appropriate time is also emphasized.
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